What’s common between Shashi Kapoor and Ali Fazal?

Ali Fazal made headlines last year when he signed on as the lead opposite Dame Judi Dench in the forthcoming Stephen Frears directorial, Victoria and Abdul. The actor will soon be doing the final few days of the shoot and the film is expected to release on 22nd September this year. While the actor has been gushing about the enriching experience of having worked with the most talented bunch of people, it was another mere coincidence that made him feel more pride than anything else.

The actor spent hours discussing his idol with his Hollywood director. And that idol is legendary actor Shashi Kapoor. It so happens that Stephen Frears has worked with Shashi Kapoor in a film called Sammy and Rosie Get Laid back in 1987. Shashi Kapoor has had his own share of working in the west and Stephen, in particular, has had a pleasant working experience with Shashi Kapoor and he expressed the same to Ali.

It was certainly a matter of pride for Ali to be directed by a director who’s worked with his idol from Indian films and years later Ali is working in a film as a lead being directed by Stephen himself. Ali said “It’s one of the best compliments that I received during the making of Victoria & Abdul being compared with one of the legendary actors Shashi Kapoor. I grew up watching his films; one of the best talents our country has ever produced. This statement coming from my director Stephen Frears was truly rewarding”.